Things to Consider as You Compare Cell Phone Plans
As you set out to compare cell phone plans, it's important to keep several things in mind, including coverage area, cost of service and the phone, features and options, and whether your plan can change to fit your future needs. Often, you are signing a contract to retain service for a set amount of time - usually one or two years. If you are locked into a plan that simply doesn't work for you, it can turn out to be a long time indeed, which is why it is so important to compare cell phone plans.
Consider the coverage area - as you compare cell phone plans, you'll need to keep in mind where you'll be hit with roaming charges. While it might be fine to say that you'll never travel more than a hundred miles from home, that won't do you any good if you are at the very edge of the coverage area and the roaming begins just twenty miles from your house. When you compare cell phone plans, you should also keep in mind where the "dead spots" are. Some companies have a good saturation of service in many areas while others simply don't have the ability to cover you across much of the country. If you are purchasing a cell phone to maximize your time in the car, and then the phone doesn't get reception in the majority of the areas in which you drive, you're not meeting your goals.
Cost of service and phone - when you compare cell phone plans, know that many cellular phone companies offer phones free or at a greatly reduced rate for new customers, and for those who have had service for a set amount of time and are eligible to upgrade their equipment. If you are on a tight budget, considering the cost of the phone as well as the cost of service might make one particular plan more attractive than another. Most phone companies will let you change your plan, even during the contract period. Even if you feel sure this plan will work for you, you might find a need to add another line, add minutes, or reduce the plan before the contract period ends. Ask about these options as you compare cell phone plans.
While the major cellular phone service providers are certainly good options, when you compare cell phone plans don't overlook some of the smaller service providers, especially if you have some very special cellular phone needs. Some companies are more likely to be able to customize a plan for you than others. If you compare cell phone plans among the major players, take time to at least give a few minutes to some of the lesser-known companies as well.
Compare cell phone plans from companies such as Wirefly at www.wirefly.com, Andrews (www.andrews.com/cell-phones.html), and Cheap Cellular Phone Service at http://cheap-online.net/cell-phone-service.
